Who should be the Canadiens’ 6th Defenseman when Kaiden Guhle returns to the lineup? – Hockey writers – Montreal Canadiens
When Kaiden Guhle returned from injury, Martin St. Louis will face one of those “good problems” coaches like to have: Too many good guys. In the first month of the season, Montreal’s blue line has turned into one of its biggest strengths, combining youth, movement, and solid development. But the question remains, when the line is healthy, who should remain as the sixth defensive man: Arber Xhekaj or Jayden Struble?
The start of the season
The Canadiens begin the 2025-26 season with a relatively stable rotation. Mike Matheson played big minutes, Noah Dobson and Kaiden Guhle also handled heavy minutes, and Lane Hutson brought creativity and offensive speed to the offensive end. Xhekaj started the season third over the stubble.
Meanwhile, Struble was watching from the press box. The decision was made early on. Xhekaj’s combination of size, toughness, and willingness to protect teammates add something few others in the lineup have brought. His presence gives Montreal a deterry and spark when the game gets physical. For a team still building its young core, that edge can be useful. But when Gufle went down, the Canadiens’ defensive leadership changed. Struble, who had been patient, suddenly got his chance.
If it should be difficult?
Since Guhle’s injury, he has been quietly impressed. He averaged more than 15 minutes a night, more than Xhekaj did in his first games, and contributed that ice time. Through 10 games, Struble has three assists and a PLUS-1 rating, while showing improved puck handling and will shut down under pressure. His skating allows him to recover quickly from transitions and join the pace without getting caught.
In contrast, Xhekaj’s era was more uneven. In 13 games, he posted just one hit and a minus-4 rating. His life is always an asset, but sometimes it comes at the cost of standing or fines. The Canadiens have always emphasized controlled aggression, played hard, but smart, and that is where the struggle game would be best suited.
Struble also brings a lot of flexibility. He can play both sides, kill penalties, and turn the puck over effectively. While he may not have the raw power or straight streak, he makes up for it with better skating and decision making.
That does not mean that Xhekaj’s role has been dismissed. His presence is felt every time he hits the ice. He protects teammates, clears the Net Front, and changes the visual tone of the game. Against tough opponents like the Boston Bruins or the Toronto Maple Leafs, that kind of edge is important. But when the Canadiens play fast, puck-movement teams, Struble’s style might be a better complement on the line.
It’s a good problem to have
Ultimately, this debate shows a positive shift in Montreal’s defense. A few years ago, the Canadiens lacked NHL-ready depth on the blue line. Now, with Matheson, in charge, Hutson, Guhle, and Dobson locked in the top roles, the battle for sixth place is between young defenders with skills each bringing something different.
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That kind of competition forces everyone to improve. It allows St. Louis to match his line to the opponent: XHEKAJ when the team needs hostility and physical presence, struble when it needs skating and puck movement. Over the course of an 82-game season, both will get their share of ice time.
The depth of the Canadiens’ defense helped stabilize their overall structure. With Dobson and Matheson logging in big minutes and Hutson driving that offense, the blue line supported a balanced attack. The team’s goals – on average, tend to be low, and the puck exit is clean. Whether it’s an oddball or a Xhekaj, Seth Spot now fills a well-rounded unit rather than filling a weak link.
At the moment, the logical choice when Guhle’s return is likely to continue hard on the line. He earned minutes with a strong, aggressive play, and it fit the Canadiens’ fast, dynamic ownership. XHEKAJ remains a good seven-year defense, one who can jump in at any time and make an impact, but Struble’s reliability could give him the edge in the short term.
However, it is difficult to call this situation bad. Defensive depth is one of the hardest things to build in the NHL, and suddenly there is a lot of it. With Lufle healthy and Hutson continuing to develop, the Canadiens blue line may be one of the most limited in the conference.
